Substrates and methods for fabricating the same

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the invention provides a substrate. The substrate comprises a single crystal substrate. An epitaxial buffer film is on the single crystal substrate. An epitaxial ZnGa 2 O 4  is on the epitaxial buffer film.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to substrates and methods for fabricating thesame, and more particularly to epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ substrates and methodsfor fabricating the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Flat panel display devices, such as field emission displays (FEDs),plasma display panels (PDPs), and thin-film electroluminescent devices,require highly efficient phosphor material. Oxide phosphors offerpotential advantages because of their superior stability under electronbombardment and excellent luminescent property.

ZnGa₂O₄ are oxide phosphors attractive for both cathodoluminescent andelectroluminescent applications. ZnGa₂O₄ possesses a cubic spinelcrystal structure and wide energy band gap of about 4.4 to 5.0 e.V. Thismaterial exhibits an intense green luminescence when doped with Mn andblue luminescence without doping via a transition of a self-activatedcenter. It has been suggested that by doping with various activators,including Mn²⁺, Eu³⁺ and Ce³⁺ ZnGa₂O₄ phosphors can attain full colorluminescence. ZnGa₂O₄ is also an interesting ultraviolet-transparentconductive oxide as moderate conductivity can be induced by annealingunder a reducing atmosphere at high temperature.

There have been several studies on ZnGa₂O₄. For example, Yong Eui Lee etal. disclose “Enhanced ultraviolet photoconductivity in semiconductingZnGa₂O₄ thin films” in JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS in volume 90, number8. Yong Eui Lee et al. disclose “Blue photoluminescence in ZnGa₂O₄ thinfilm phosphors” in JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS in volume 89, number 3.Yong Eui Lee et al. disclose “Enhanced photoluminescence in epitaxialZnGa₂O₄:Mn thin film phosphors using pulsed laser deposition” in APPLIEDPHYSICS LETTER in volume 74, number 21.

Although numerous studies involve epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film, ZnGa₂O₄ cancurrently only be grown epitaxially on MgO substrates at hightemperature. Unfortunately, MgO substrate is not only expensive, butalso easily hydrolyzed in a moist ambient. Thus, devices and methods forovercoming obstacles to epitaxial growth of ZnGa₂O₄ film are desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Substrates are provided. An embodiment of a substrate comprises a singlecrystal substrate. An epitaxial buffer film is on the single crystalsubstrate. An epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film is on the epitaxial buffer film.

Methods for fabricating substrates are provided. An embodiment of amethod for fabricating a substrate comprises providing a single crystalsubstrate. A buffer film is epitaxially grown on the single crystalsubstrate. A ZnGa₂O₄ film is epitaxially grown on the epitaxial bufferfilm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequentdetailed description and examples with references made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a substrate with an epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄film thereon according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a substrate with an epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄film thereon according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 a-3 b are diagrams showing X-ray diffraction θ/2θ of theas-deposited ZnGa₂O₄ film and annealed ZnGa₂O₄ film according toembodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra ofZnGa₂O₄ films with varied crystal orientations and annealingtemperatures according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carryingout the invention. This description is made for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the invention and should not betaken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determinedby reference to the appended claims.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an exemplary embodiment of anepitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ substrate 10 and methods for fabricating the same.Referring to FIG. 1, a single crystal substrate 20 is provided. Thesingle crystal substrate 20 may comprise Si, sapphire, MgO or othersingle crystal material.

Next, a buffer film 40 is epitaxially grown on the single crystalsubstrate 20. Preferably, there is little lattice mismatching betweenthe buffer film 40 and a sequentially formed ZnGa₂O₄ film. For example,the buffer film 40 may comprise Tin_(X)(x≦1), referred to as rock saltTiN. Lattice mismatching between rock salt TiN and ZnGa₂O₄ is about1.76%. Preferably, the buffer film 40 has a thickness of about 1 nm toabout 50,000 nm. In one embodiment, the epitaxial growth of the bufferfilm 40 on the single substrate 20 is performed by reactive directcurrent (D.C.) sputtering or pulsed-laser deposition (PLD). For example,epitaxial rock salt TiN may be formed on the single crystal substrate 20by reactive DC sputtering, wherein during the reactive DC sputteringprocess, a Ti target may be used and the single crystal substrate 20 maybe heated to a temperature of about 600° C. in an ambiance containing N₂and Ar gas.

Thereafter, a ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 is epitaxially grown on the buffer film40. The ZnGa₂O₄ has a spinel crystal structure. Preferably, the ZnGa₂O₄film 60 has a thickness of about 10 nm to about 50,000 nm. The epitaxialZnGa₂O₄ film 60 may be formed on the buffer film 40 by, for example, DCsputtering which may use ZnGa₂O₄ as a target. In one embodiment,as-deposited ZnGa₂O₄ film is amorphous, an annealing process is furtherperformed to transform the amorphous ZnGa₂O₄ film to an epitaxial film.The ZnGa₂O₄ film may be annealed at a heating rate of 20° C./second to atemperature ranging from about 200° C. to 700° C. for a duration ofabout 30 minutes. The single crystal substrate 20 with the buffer film40 and the ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 formed thereon is then furnace-cooled to roomtemperature which may take about 30 minutes. Alternately, the annealingprocess may comprise rapid thermal annealing performed at a heating rateof 50° C./second to a temperature ranging from about 400° C. for aduration of about 10 seconds to 1 minute. The single crystal substrate20 with the buffer film 40 and the ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 formed thereon isthen furnace-cooled to room temperature. The as-deposited amorphousZnGa₂O₄ (not shown) is transformed to the epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 byone of the above-mentioned or another annealing process. In otherembodiments, during deposition of the ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 on the buffer film40, the single crystal substrate 20 and the buffer film 40 issimultaneously heated to about 200° C. or above, preferably about 200°C. to 1000° C. Then, the epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 grown on the bufferfilm 40 is obtained after the ZnGa₂O₄ deposition process.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another exemplary embodiment of anepitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ substrate 20 and methods for fabricating the same. Theinventor has found that the epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 may crack due togreat stress produced during the time the epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 iscoherent with the buffer film 40. Thus, the second embodiment isprovided for sake of preventing cracks in the epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ filmand/or the buffer film 40. Herein, the same structures or materials havethe same labels as FIG. 1.

A substrate 15 with an epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 thereon comprises asingle crystal substrate 20, a buffer film 40 epitaxially grown on thesingle crystal substrate 20, a stress buffer film 50 epitaxially grownon the buffer film 40, and the ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 epitaxially grown on thestress buffer film 50. Material, thicknesses and fabrication of thesingle crystal substrate 20 and the buffer film 40 in this embodimentare approximately the same as those in the first embodiment, thusdescriptions thereof are omitted for brevity.

After the buffer film 40 is epitaxially grown on the single crystalsubstrate 20, the stress buffer film 50 is epitaxially grown on thebuffer film 40. Because the sequentially formed epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film60 and the buffer film 40 such as TiN are hard and brittle, the ZnGa₂O₄film 60 may easily crack. A soft material may be used as the stressbuffer film 50 between the epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 and the buffer film40 to buffer stress in the ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 and the buffer film 40.Preferably, the stress buffer material 50 may comprise Zn₂TiO₄, and thestress buffer film 50 may have thickness of about 1 nm to 50,000 nm. Inone embodiment, after forming the epitaxial buffer film 40 such as TiNon the single crystal substrate 20, the single crystal substrate 20 withthe epitaxial TiN film 40 formed thereon is then disposed with ZnO in athermal furnace containing O₂ and Ar. When the single crystal substrate20 is heated to a temperature of about 600° C., the ZnGa₂O₄ film whichfunctions as the stress buffer film 50 will be formed on the epitaxialTiN film. In another embodiment, a stress buffer film 50 may be formedon the buffer film 40 by a deposition process, such as sputtering. Afterthe stress buffer film 50 is epitaxially grown on the buffer film 40,the ZnGa₂O₄ film 60 is then epitaxially grown on the stress buffer film50. The fabrication method and thickness of the epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film60 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment,thus descriptions thereof are omitted for brevity.

X-Ray Diffraction of an Epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ Film

FIGS. 3 a-3 b are diagrams showing X-ray diffraction θ/2θ of theas-deposited ZnGa₂O₄ film and annealed ZnGa₂O₄ film according to theaforementioned embodiments. FIGS. 3 a-3 b are diagrams demonstratingthat the epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film is successfully grown on the buffer filmby performing an annealing process. Herein, the dotted line shows X-raydiffraction θ/2θ of the as-deposited ZnGa₂O₄ film, while the solid lineshows X-ray diffraction θ/2θ of the annealed ZnGa₂O₄ film. In FIG. 3 a,the (111) epitaxial TiN film is grown on the (111) single crystal Sisubstrate. The ZnGa₂O₄ film deposits on the (111) TiN film on the (111)single crystal Si substrate; however the as-deposited ZnGa₂O₄ film is anamorphous film. The amorphous as-deposited ZnGa₂O₄ film is transformedto the epitaxial (111) and (222) ZnGa₂O₄ film after an annealingprocess. The annealing process is performed by at a heating rate of 20°C./second to a temperature of about 400° C. for a duration of about 30minutes, and the single crystal Si substrate with the epitaxial TiN filmand the ZnGa₂O₄ film formed thereon is then furnace-cooled to roomtemperature. In FIG. 3 b, the (200) epitaxial TiN film is grown on the(100) single crystal Si substrate. The ZnGa₂O₄ film deposits on the(200) TiN film on the (100) single crystal Si substrate; however theas-deposited ZnGa₂O₄ film is an amorphous film. The amorphousas-deposited ZnGa₂O₄ film is transformed to the epitaxial (400) ZnGa₂O₄film after an annealing process. The annealing process is performed byheating at a rate of 20° C./second to a temperature of about 400° C. fora duration of about 30 minutes, and then the single crystal Si substratewith the epitaxial TiN film and the ZnGa₂O₄ film formed thereon is thenfurnace-cooled to room temperature.

Photoluminescence (PL) Emission Spectra of ZnGa₂O₄ Films

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing PL emission spectra of ZnGa₂O₄ films withvaried crystal orientations and annealing temperatures according to anembodiment of the invention. In FIG. 4, line A shows a PL emissionspectrum of an epitaxial (100) ZnGa₂O₄ film according to an embodimentof the invention. The epitaxial (100) ZnGa₂O₄ film is grown on a TiNfilm which is formed on a Si substrate. The (100) ZnGa₂O₄/TiN/Si isformed by performing an annealing process at a temperature of about 400°C. Line B shows a PL emission spectrum of an epitaxial (100) ZnGa₂O₄film according to an embodiment of the invention. The epitaxial (100)ZnGa₂O₄ film is grown on a TiN film which is formed on a Si substrate.The (100) ZnGa₂O₄/TiN/Si is formed by performing an annealing process ata temperature of about 700° C. Line C shows a PL emission spectrum of anepitaxial (111) ZnGa₂O₄ film according to an embodiment of theinvention. The epitaxial (111) ZnGa₂O₄ film is grown on a TiN film whichis formed on a Si substrate. The (111) ZnGa₂O₄/TiN/Si is formed byperforming an annealing process at a temperature of about 400° C. Line Dshows a PL emission spectrum of an epitaxial (111) ZnGa₂O₄ filmaccording to an embodiment of the invention. The epitaxial (111) ZnGa₂O₄film is grown on a TiN film which is formed on a Si substrate. The (111)ZnGa₂O₄/TiN/Si is formed by performing an annealing process at atemperature of about 700° C. Line E shows a PL emission spectrum of anconventional poly crystal ZnGa₂O₄ film, wherein an amorphous ZnGa₂O₄film is formed on a glass substrate. An annealing process at atemperature of about 400° C. for 30 minutes is performed to transformthe amorphous ZnGa₂O₄ film to the poly crystal ZnGa₂O₄ film. As shown inFIG. 4, the epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ films formed by embodiments of theinvention such as lines A, B, C and D have greater PL intensity than aconventional poly crystal ZnGa₂O₄ film such as line E. Furthermore,lines A, B, C and D have clearer peaks than line E, thus characteristicspectra may be separated in lines A, B, C and D.

As described, an epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film may be grown on any singlecrystal substrate through the buffer film underlying the ZnGa₂O₄ film.It is not necessary to grow an epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film on a MgOsubstrate, thereby reducing fabrication cost. An amorphous ZnGa₂O₄ filmis transformed to an epitaxial ZnGa₂O₄ film by performing only anannealing process, thus the fabrication method is simplified.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofthe preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it isintended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (aswould be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope ofthe appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so asto encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A method for fabricating a substrate, comprising:providing a single crystal substrate; epitaxially growing a buffer filmon the single crystal substrate; and epitaxially growing a ZnGa₂O₄ filmon the buffer film.
 11. The method for fabricating the substrate asclaimed in claim 10, further comprising epitaxially growing a stressbuffer film between the buffer film and the ZnGa₂O₄ film.
 12. The methodfor fabricating the substrate as claimed in claim 10, wherein the bufferfilm comprises rock salt TiN.
 13. The method for fabricating thesubstrate as claimed in claim 10, wherein the single crystal substratecomprises Si, MgO or sapphire.
 14. The method for fabricating thesubstrate as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stress buffer filmcomprises Zn₂TiO₄.
 15. The method for fabricating the substrate asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the epitaxial growth of the ZnGa₂O₄ film onthe buffer film comprises depositing an amorphous ZnGa₂O₄ film on thebuffer film.
 16. The method for fabricating the substrate as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the epitaxial growth of the ZnGa₂O₄ film on the bufferfilm comprises performing an annealing process.
 17. The method forfabricating the substrate as claimed in claim 16, wherein the annealingprocess is performed at a temperature ranging from 400° C. to 700° C.18. The method for fabricating the substrate as claimed in claim 16,wherein the annealing process comprises a rapid thermal annealingprocess.
 19. The method for fabricating the substrate as claimed inclaim 15, wherein the amorphous ZnGa₂O₄ film is deposited on the bufferfilm by using DC sputtering.
 20. The method for fabricating thesubstrate as claimed in claim 10, wherein the epitaxial growth of thebuffer film on the single substrate is performed by reactive DCsputtering or pulsed-laser deposition.
 21. The method for fabricatingthe substrate as claimed in claim 10, wherein the epitaxial growth ofthe stress buffer film between the buffer film the ZnGa2O4 filmcomprises reacting the buffer film with Zn in a furnace containing O₂and Ar gas.
 22. The method for fabricating the substrate as claimed inclaim 10, wherein the epitaxial growth of the ZnGa₂O₄ film on the bufferfilm comprises heating the substrate and the buffer film to atemperature of about 200° C. to 1000° C.